| name | deposition-notice-subpoena |
| title | Deposition Notice and Subpoena |
| description | Drafts federal civil deposition notices (FRCP 30(b)(1), 30(b)(6)) and Rule 45 subpoenas for testimony and/or documents. Use when the user mentions deposition notice, 30(b)(1), 30(b)(6), Rule 45, subpoena, subpoena duces tecum, nonparty deposition, Schedule A, AO 88A/88B, 30(b)(6) topic lists, witness fee tenders, Rule 45(c) location limits, or pre-service notice requirements. Also trigger for "I need to depose someone" or "draft a subpoena for documents." |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/deposition-notice-subpoena |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | litigation |
| language | en |
Deposition Notice and Subpoena
Produces enforceable federal deposition notices and Rule 45 subpoenas with defensible scope, proper timing, and a complete service packet. Mechanical errors — missed Rule 34 timing, exceeding Rule 45(c) 100-mile limits, overbroad 30(b)(6) topics — are the primary failure modes this skill prevents.
Quick Start
- Gather intake (Checkpoint A below)
- Select instrument based on deponent status
- Build timeline accounting for Rule 34 / Rule 45(d) periods
- Draft notice or subpoena with Schedule A if needed
- Assemble service packet
- Run post-draft alignment (Checkpoint B) and quality audit
Checkpoint A: Pre-Draft Intake
Ask every time unless the user says "use defaults" or "just draft."
- Case caption — court, civil action number, judge
- Deponent status — party individual, party entity, nonparty, former employee
- Scheduling order — discovery cutoff, deposition limits, stipulations
- Logistics — date, time, time zone, location or remote platform
- Recording method — stenographic only or stenographic + audiovisual
- 30(b)(6) topics — with defined terms and time ranges (entity depositions only)
- Document requests (Schedule A) — and desired production format
- Protective order — existing stipulation or order
- Rule 45 details — service address, compliance location, witness fees (28 U.S.C. § 1821)
- Prior discovery — relevant pleadings, interrogatory responses, key productions
Defaults (label clearly if applied): party individual; Rule 30(b)(1) notice; stenographic; no document requests; 7-hour limit.
Step 1: Select Instrument
| Deponent | Instrument | Service | Key Rules |
|---|
| Party individual | 30(b)(1) notice | Counsel (Rule 5) | 30(b)(3) recording; 30(d)(1) 7-hour limit; 30(a)(2)(A)(i) limits |
| Party entity | 30(b)(6) notice | Counsel (Rule 5) | Topics reasonably particular; entity designates and prepares |
| Nonparty | Rule 45 subpoena | Personal + fees | 45(b)(1) fees; 45(c) location; 45(a)(4) pre-service notice |
